Crossrail

11.10.18

MPs call for Crossrail to be expanded to Kent and connected to HS1

A group of MPs and council leaders have united to call for the extension of Crossrail into south London and Kent, a move which they say would unlock 50,000 jobs and 55,000 new homes.

The cross-party coalition has called for the delayed £15.4bn line’s south-eastern arm to continue to Ebbsfleet to “complete the missing link in the railway line.”

In a letter to transport minister Jo Johnson, they asked for £25m funding to be set aside in the Autumn budget to draw up a business case for Crossrail to Ebbsfleet (C2E).

Kent is the only home county not served by HS2, and the group say the Thames Gateway part of Crossrail, which was removed in 2008, is “creating 10 miles of missed opportunity.”

The MPs say they are now sending the message to the government that the time is right to back the final link of the Elizabeth line and unlock significant housing growth.

Sir David Evennett, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, said: “This is a crucial opportunity for the government to create a boom of new jobs, opportunities and homes in an area that needs investment to unlock its full potential.

“We came together today and presented our submission to the Treasury and DfT in person, because we wanted to demonstrate how passionate, determined and united our strength of feeling is in favour of this investment.

“We must commit to this vital extension, which will join up our transport network and bring Kent and South East London properly into the fold.”

The extension would support areas such as Gravesham and Dartford, often over-looked areas with high levels of social and economic need.

The letter outlines that creating a fast connection into Canary Wharf and central London, as well as connecting the Elizabeth Line with the HS1 rail line in Ebbsfleet, wold create a more joined up railway.

The extension has been backed by the Thames Estuary Commission as well as businesses and organisations including London City Airport, London Chamber of Commerce and HS1 Ltd.

Enjoying RTM? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

rail technology magazine tv

more videos >

latest rail news

Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

09/09/2020Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

Following the announcement of Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) programme to develop numerous stations, today (9 Sept) on World Electric Veh... more >
Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

09/09/2020Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

Three contracts have been awarded by Network Rail to carry out strengthening work to three railway bridges across the Wessex route in the South o... more >
New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

09/09/2020New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

The electric train fleet set to transform travel on Birmingham’s Cross-City Line has been revealed to rail passengers in the West Midlands.... more >

last word

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

This summer, Arriva Group's CrossCountry and the Scout Association joined to launch a new partnership to promote rail safety among young people. Chris Leech MBE, business community manager at the... more > more last word articles >

'the sleepers' daily blog

On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

29/06/2020On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

Following an independent audit, Sulzer’s Nottingham Service Centre has been accepted as part of the rail industry supplier approval scheme (RISAS). The accreditation reinforces the high-quality standards that are maintained by Sulzer’s network of independent repair facilities across the UK and further afield in its global network. ... more >
read more blog posts from 'the sleeper' >

comment

The challenge of completing Crossrail

05/07/2019The challenge of completing Crossrail

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at ho... more >
Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

04/07/2019Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

The move to decarbonise the rail network involves shifting to cleaner modes of traction by 2050. David Clarke, technical director at the Railway ... more >
Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

02/07/2019Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

Smart electrification is the way to boost clean energy resources, argues Leo Murray, director at 10:10 Climate Action. Contractors are clear... more >
Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

02/07/2019Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

The TCR Midlands conference is only days away and tickets are going fast for the sector event of the year at the Vox Conference Centre in Birming... more >

rail industry focus

View all News

interviews

Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

24/06/2019Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, has told the Today programme on Radio 4's BBC’s flagship news programme that he wo... more >